e generality
of the guerillas.

"Being now recognised as one of the leading patriot chiefs, he united
himself to General Roxas; and in conjunction they attacked the army
under the Spanish General Boves. In this action Roxas slew Boves and
nine others with his own hand; and Bermudez was said to have killed
thirty men in the action, during which he broke three lances. The
patriot government, in recognition of his services, now created him a
general of division, and offered him pay; but he nobly declined any
remuneration, observing that his object was to fight for his country's
liberty without the intention of receiving reward. By his frequent
forays into the plains, where he collected large herds of cattle, he
contributed greatly to the support of the patriot army."

Such was the man under whom, should my father give me permission, I had
undertaken to serve. I felt flattered that he should have thought me
capable of being of any use among his hardy and experienced horsemen,
and I could scarcely account for the reason of his so distinguishing me.
I asked my uncle what he thought about the matter.

"He saw that you were a likely lad, and took it for granted that your
father's son was brave and intelligent. He admires the English, and
wishes to have a few with him to assist in civilising and disciplining
his followers," he answered.

We talked on for some time, till my uncle proposed that we should lie
down and go to sleep, leaving Tim and Candela to keep watch alternately
and maintain the fire, as even at that elevation we were liable to be
attacked by a prowling jaguar or puma.

I never slept more soundly in my life; and when I was awakened by Tim
pulling at my arm, I found that the day had already broke.

"Hist, Masther Barry," he whispered. "The praste's black fellow
Candela, says there are Injyuns lurking about, who maybe want to steal
our mules, or cut our throats if they have the chance; and we've sent
the boys to bring in the animals; and Misther Denis and Candela have
gone forward to get a look down the gorge, where we think they have
hidden, intending to take us by surprise."

I should have said that on the other side of the gorge was a ridge,
beyond which the ground again sloped, thus enabling a party to approach
within gun-shot of where we were encamped.

On jumping to my feet I saw my uncle and Candela creeping along towards
a fallen trunk, which lay close above the brink of a precipice. At that